The boy's name William \wi(l)-liam\ is pronounced WIL-yum. It is of Old German origin, and its meaning is "will helmet, protection". For a long time after the Norman conquest in AD 1066, three out of four English boys were given some form of the conqueror's name, William. Short forms and variants came into being with a common basic meaning of "will", "determined", or "resolute". William has remained a royal name in the UK for nearly one thousand years. The firstborn son of the current Prince of Wales is named William. Wilhelm is a German form; actor Willem Dafoe has made the Dutch form familiar since the 1980s. See also Willard. Playwright William Shakespeare; actors William Hurt, Billy Crudup, Bill Pullman; film director Wim Wenders; poet William Blake; author William Faulkner; American Presidents William H. Harrison, William H. Taft, William McKinley; Bill Clinton.

ORIGIN
Old German

MEANING
Determined protector

Used as a royal name in Great Britain for nearly one thousand years starting with William the Conqueror. Had seen a steady decline until 1982 when Prince Charles and Princess Diana named their first son William. In the U.S., William has remained among the top 10 for the past 125 years. Namesakes include four United States presidents. Actor Willem Dafoe uses the Dutch form of the name.

VARIATIONS
Wilma Billie Velma

NICKNAMES
Wills Willie Billy Will Bill

FAMOUS Williams
William Holden (actor) Bill Pullman (actor) William Shakespeare (playwright) Billy Crudup (actor)

More Baby Name Advice, Tips And Ideas:

Click below for lists of popular baby names from other years.

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1980 - 1989 | 1970 - 1979 | 1960 - 1969 | 1950 - 1959 | 1940 - 1949 | 1930 - 1939 | 1920 - 1929 | 1910 - 1919 | 1900 - 1909 |